IT will be a Saintly milestone today when Susie Holcombe takes to the court for her 500th club game this afternoon, ahead of Branxholme-Wallacedale’s South West District Football Netball League (SWDFNL) C grade clash against Heathmere.

After 32 years of pulling on the red, black and white colours, Holcombe will notch up the milestone, which was delayed due to the COVID pandemic forcing players to miss more than a full season.

Holcombe told The Spectator it was a special feeling and would enjoy celebrating the milestone with family and friends.

“I sort of knew it was coming up in the next couple of years, but I didn’t know when,” she said.

“I found out two weeks ago from the woman who keeps the records at the club.

“It is something very very special, it is something that I will treasure and I hope my family will keep that legacy going at Branxholme-Wallacedale.”

The midcourter’s milestone comes on the same day her son, Lachie, plays his 50th club game, while Ray Sutton will also bring up a football milestone, running out for his 300th club game.

The 55-year-old said she was hoping to treat it like a normal game, once it gets underway.

“It just feels a bit strange, I am not one that likes attention, so it will be just a normal game when we play, but all the other bits and pieces, I am not looking forward to those bits,” Holcombe said.

Netball has a constant throughout Holcombe’s life, playing junior games at Penshurst before her sister-in-law, Robyn, convinced Susie to join the Saints.

Aside from time off when pregnant and during the pandemic, the weekly routine netball provided was welcomed.

“I started in 1992 at the club, I was in my 20s and it was the year I got married,” Holcombe said.

“My sister-in-law (Robyn) played there, then ended up getting pregnant, so I played without her.

“I have not really been tempted to go back (to Penshurst), I go back to visit, but Branxholme-Wallacedale is our home club now.”

Having played in the top grade during her early years at Branxholme-Wallacedale, as time went on, she continued to hone her craft through the midcourt, playing in centre, wing attack and wing defence, before also spending seasons in A Reserve, B grade and in recent seasons, C grade.

The lure of a 500th club game for the SWDFNL club kept driving her to keep going, with other family members also achieving significant milestones.

“(500) is a lot, but my brother has played 500 games for Penshurst, and my other younger brother has played over 300 games for North Cairns, so we are very committed to our communities as a family and that was instilled in us by both mum and dad,” Holcombe said.

“A huge thanks to Mel and Pauline who keep me going, at the moment I am doing weekly visits with Pauline, otherwise monthly visits with Mel.”

Keeping the body fit and strong has gone a long way to achieving the longevity on the netball court.

The other aspect of Holcombe staying involved in the game so long was the connections she made on and off the court.

“Just the people I have played with, met while playing, and I am umpiring as well,” she said.

“I have formed some lifelong friendships both on and off the court.

“Unfortunately no premierships, which is not a huge regret

“I have had fun, we have been in a lot of grand finals, but just haven’t been good enough or strong enough to take out the win.”

Today’s milestone also signals the beginning of the end for Holcombe, with the Saints veteran confirming the 2024 campaign will be her last as a player.

Reaching 500 games was the last box Holcombe was eyeing off as a player, with the rest of the season set to be her swansong in the Saints colours.

“This is my last season, that was probably a goal of mine to get to 500,” the 55-year-old said.

“Because I was so close, I was 450 for quite a while with COVID, so it was probably a bit of a goal and now that I have achieved that goal, I think it is time to step down.

“I will still be involved with the club and umpiring – I am currently mentoring three umpires, that is another passion of mine.

“I will play out the season, I am enjoying playing with the girls I am playing with, and that is what it should be about.”

With many hours spent at training, playing and travelling to away games, Holcombe knows there have been many sacrifices along the way, and was grateful for the support she had received over the years.

“I just want to thank the Branxholme-Wallacedale Football Netball Club for being so welcoming back in 1992, and to all the friends I’ve made on and off the court, both at Branxholme-Wallacedale and within the league,” she said.

“Also, a huge thank you to my family who have been so supportive of me and the club.”

The C grade clash gets underway at 2pm and will be played alongside the A grade clash between the Saints and Meres.